Paul McCartney has issued a stark warning to the British government over proposed changes to copyright law that would allow AI companies to use artists' content for training their models without explicit permission. The former Beatle expressed concern that these changes could make it impossible for new musicians to earn a living from their work.
Key Takeaways:
- The proposed "opt-out" system would force artists to notify thousands of AI companies to protect their work
- McCartney emphasizes that young musicians need to be able to earn a living from their art
- UK Music warns these changes pose a significant risk to the £120 billion creative sector
McCartney's criticism centers on the economic impact these changes could have on emerging artists. "You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don't own it, and they don't have anything to do with it. And anyone who wants can just rip it off," he told the BBC in a rare interview.
The proposed legislation would allow AI developers to use content available online for text and data mining purposes, with creators having to actively opt out if they don't want their work used. Critics, including McCartney, argue this approach effectively reverses the traditional copyright principle where permission must be granted before use.
The 82-year-old musician directed a pointed message to lawmakers: "We're the people, you're the government! You're supposed to protect us. That's your job. If you're putting through a bill, make sure you protect the creative thinkers, the creative artists, or you're not going to have them."
This stance doesn't reflect an anti-AI position from McCartney, who recently used AI technology to help create what he called "the last Beatles record," extracting John Lennon's vocals from an old demo. Rather, his concern focuses on ensuring fair compensation for creators in an evolving technological landscape.
Chris McKay
The government has responded by emphasizing their commitment to the music industry, stating they aim to deliver a copyright regime that provides creators with "real control" and "transparency." They are currently conducting a consultation on these proposals, seeking input from the music industry before moving forward.
Tom Kiehl, chief executive of UK Music, has backed McCartney's position, warning that the proposed changes could be "counterproductive to the government's own growth ambitions" and put the music industry at "huge risk."